GradWeb to Slate Transition

Overview

The Division of Graduate Studies is launching a new Grad Student Portal in Slate, which will replace GradWeb for many current student processes. This transition represents a major modernization effort and will streamline workflows for students, faculty, and program staff. Program staff can expect a more centralized system, improved Banner integrations, and improved student tracking and reporting through integrated dashboards. This page provides guidance for students, faculty, and staff during the transition.

Phase One: July 2026 Go‑Live

Beginning July 15th, the Grad Student Portal in Slate will become the system used for the following current student processes that are currently managed in GradWeb:

  • Academic Leave (all students)
  • Application to Graduate (all students)
  • Advancement to Candidacy (doctoral students)
  • Dissertation Committee formation and updates (doctoral students)
  • Dissertation Defense scheduling (doctoral students)

Until July 1st, these processes continue to be completed in GradWeb.

Important: There will be approximately two weeks of downtime for both GradWeb and the new Grad Student Portal during the July transition.

Use the Right System

  • Before July 1, 2026: Continue submitting requests in GradWeb.
  • After July 15, 2026: Submit requests through the Grad Student Portal (Slate) for the processes listed above.

Summer 2026 Graduates - Special Timing Guidance

If you are planning to graduate in Summer term 2026:

  • All students: Submit the Application to Graduate in GradWeb by June 30.
  • Doctoral students:
    • Submit the Application for Defense before July 1 or after July 15.
    • If you must apply during system downtime, email Graduate Studies for assistance.

Highlighted Policy and Procedure Changes 

Alongside the system transition, the Division of Graduate Studies several policies and procedures are also changing. Implementation of the following changes will coincide with the rollout of the Grad Student Portal.

Academic Leave (all students) 

  • No longer requires program approval. 
  • Medical/parental documentation is no longer required. 
  • Leave taken for medical or parental reasons will no longer automatically extend the student’s 7‑year completion deadline. 

Advancement to Candidacy (doctoral) 

  • Requests will now be initiated by students rather than program staff. 
  • We will no longer track program‑specific advancement requirements in the system; instead, the student and program will confirm that all program‑level requirements have been met. 

Dissertation Committees (doctoral) 

The revised dissertation committee policy includes the following changes: 

  • Expanded eligibility for career faculty to serve as dissertation committee advisors.  
  • Ability for retired or departed faculty to continue serving on existing committees until the student graduates (current policy allows for up to one year after departure).  
  • Terminology change: the “chair” role will now be referred to as “advisor.” No change for those programs whose committees include separate roles for the chair and advisor.  
  • Committee service petitions (e.g., for non-UO committee members) will now be submitted through an online workflow rather than a PDF. 
  • Committee formation and updates will now be student‑initiated. 

Application to Graduate (all students) 

  • Students may only apply for programs that appear on their official student record, reducing the need for review of application accuracy. 
  • Updated deadlines aligned with undergraduate timelines: priority deadline is Sunday of week 4; petitions are required after that point. 
  • Programs will simply approve graduation requests; we will no longer refer to this as a “Statement of Completion.” 

Dissertation Defenses (doctoral) 

  • Change in terminology from “Oral Defense” to “Dissertation Defense.”